Asked by: Baroness Rebuck (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the National Literacy Trust Children, young people and audiobooks before and during lockdown, published in June, and its finding that listening to audiobooks can increase children's reading skills and emotional intelligence and wellbeing; and, in the light of these findings, what consideration they have given to exempting audio books from VAT.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
An extension of the zero rate of VAT has been introduced in order to provide consistency in approach between certain physical and digital publications.
Audiobooks are already taxed consistently at the standard rate in both physical and digital format.
There are no current plans to extend the VAT zero rate to audiobooks. However, the Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to remove the application of VAT to sales of audiobooks.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
An extension of the zero rate of VAT has been introduced to provide consistency in approach between certain physical and digital publications.
Audiobooks are already taxed consistently at the standard rate in both physical and digital format.
There are no current plans to extend the VAT zero rate to audiobooks. However, the Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of ending the levying of VAT on audio books.
Answered by Jesse Norman
An extension of the zero rate of VAT has been introduced to provide consistency in approach between certain physical and digital publications.
Audiobooks are already taxed consistently at the standard rate in both physical and digital format.
The Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent representations she has made to HM Treasury on VAT on audiobooks; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
The government recognises the value of publishing as one of the UK's most successful industries. In addition to £330Bn of guarantees announced by the Chancellor which have included grants, loans, and the Job Retention Scheme, zero rate of VAT on e-publications was brought forward from December. The extension of the zero rate of VAT has been introduced to provide consistency in approach between certain physical and digital publications. Audiobooks, however, are already taxed consistently at the standard rate in both physical and digital format. The government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons audiobooks were not included in the zero-rating VAT on e-publications announced in the Budget 2020; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The extension of the zero rate of VAT has been introduced to provide consistency in approach between certain physical and digital publications in order to support reading and literacy in all its forms. Audiobooks are already taxed consistently at the standard rate in both physical and digital format.
In UK law, a book is deemed to be something that is read or looked at, a definition that does not include audio content in both digital and physical form.
The Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of the potential cost to the Exchequer of removing VAT from audiobooks; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The extension of the zero rate of VAT has been introduced to provide consistency in approach between certain physical and digital publications in order to support reading and literacy in all its forms. Audiobooks are already taxed consistently at the standard rate in both physical and digital format.
In UK law, a book is deemed to be something that is read or looked at, a definition that does not include audio content in both digital and physical form.
The Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.
Excellent meeting @PublishersAssoc with Maeve & @StephenLotinga to discuss impact of #Covid on publishing, support for working class writers & those from diverse backgrounds & how we must level playing field when it comes to VAT still being charged on audiobooks @RNIB_campaigns https://t.co/HazkaeHkIu
Abolish of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Audiobooks
- Final Signatures: 47
This petition asks for the abolishment of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Audiobooks.
Found: impairment is classified as a disability and a protected characteristic by the Equality Act 2010. eBook VAT
Mentions:
1: Alison Thewliss (SNP - Glasgow Central) It would be possible to provide VAT relief for the hospitality sector, if he was minded to do so. - Speech Link
2: Yvonne Fovargue (LAB - Makerfield) also welcome the fact that the Chancellor has axed the reading tax, but I hope this can be extended to audiobooks - Speech Link
3: Sarah Olney (LDEM - Richmond Park) If I sound incredulous, it is partly because legislation to cut VAT on sanitary products was agreed by - Speech Link